Occupational Therapy | OTD

Occupational therapists help people do the things they want to do, improving their sense of satisfaction and contributing to their subsequent well-being. They work in business and industrial workplaces, community-based programs, health agencies, hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centers. There are a growing number of career opportunities available to occupational therapists.

The first two years of the program are delivered on campus in Hillsboro, Ore., while Year 3 is offered in a distance-based learning environment. Integrated fieldwork opportunities offer local, national and international experience.

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states also require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. For additional details, see the certification and licensure page.

The School of Occupational Therapy also offers a re-entry program for OTs re-entering the profession after their licenses have lapsed, as well as a dual-degree track to a graduate certificate in gerontology along with the OTD.

In the Fall of the third year, half of the students are on fieldwork while the other half are doing distance-based coursework. In the Winter/Spring term, the halves switch activities.

In addition to core courses, students take six credits of electives. Electives may be taken at any time. Second year Summer term and third-year Fall and Spring terms were designed to best accommodate electives. Students are discouraged from taking electives in their first semester.

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